Dulux White Duck Half: Expert Paint Review & How to Perfectly Pair This Soft Neutral
Hello friends and welcome back to my blog! My name is Bozica, and I’m a qualified interior designer and colour specialist with over 15 years of experience. Today I’m reviewing a truly beautiful and timeless neutral from Dulux: White Duck Half.
Whether you're building, renovating, or refreshing a room, this colour offers the perfect balance between softness, warmth, and depth — making it ideal for modern Australian homes.
What Is the Undertone of White Duck Half?
Dulux White Duck Half is a soft white with a grey-green undertone. When placed next to Vivid White (a pure white with no undertone), you can clearly see the warmth and complexity of White Duck Half. It’s subtle, elegant, and easy to live with — a true crowd-pleaser.
What Is the LRV?
The LRV (Light Reflectance Value) is 71, which means it reflects a good amount of light without being stark or cold. This makes it perfect for homes with lots of windows and natural light, especially if you want to soften that brightness and create a more grounded, inviting space.
Where Can You Use White Duck Half?
This colour is extremely versatile and works in many parts of the home:
Walls in open-plan living (especially with lots of windows)
Bedrooms and quiet living zones
Cabinetry or feature furniture (like painted vanities or sideboards)
Rendered exteriors or weatherboard homes
Hallways or entryways that need a calm, timeless feel
What Whites Should You Pair It With?
If you want contrast:
Use Dulux Vivid White for architraves, skirtings, and doors. The crispness of Vivid White pairs perfectly and helps break up the softness of the walls.
Colour Scheme: What Neutrals Work with White Duck Half?
This colour works beautifully when layered with other greys and beiges that have green undertones. Here’s a simple neutral palette you can follow:
Dulux Silkwort – a soft mid-tone grey-green
Dulux Shadow Catcher – a slightly darker grey-green
Deep Feature Colour: Add a moody grey-green like Dulux Spanish Olive for cabinetry, accent walls or even furniture
Natural Oak flooring – stunning with this colour
Dark chocolate floors – adds richness and contrast
Avoid:
Floors with orange, red, or cherry mahogany undertones — they will clash with the green undertone
Tiles with conflicting pink or yellow undertones
Pop of Colour Ideas
To keep things interesting, you can pair this neutral palette with:
Deep blues or navy
Olive or forest green
Terracotta or rust
Black or gold accents in handles, picture frames, and lighting
And if you have black windows, remember to repeat that black at least twice — maybe through accessories, a pendant light, or even chair legs — to tie the space together.
Flooring Tips
Oak floors: beautiful match
Dark timber floors: create a rich, elegant vibe
Avoid orangey-red timber floors — they don’t pair well
Tiles: only use if they have a similar grey-green undertone
Can You Use White Duck Half Outside?
Absolutely! This colour looks timeless and elegant on the exterior — especially on rendered homes or weatherboard facades. Pair with:
White windows or black windows
Fascia and gutters in complementary colours
Downpipes matched to your render for a seamless look
It will appear 2–3 shades lighter outside due to the high LRV, which helps soften bright sun exposure while keeping a warm, natural feel.
Final Thoughts
Dulux White Duck Half is one of those rare soft whites that works almost anywhere — as long as you understand undertones. It’s timeless, flexible, and soothing — ideal for both classic and contemporary homes.
If you’re not sure how to coordinate colours, or how to recognise undertones properly, check out my online course. I’ll teach you how to build a complete colour scheme that works with your existing finishes — so you never waste money or feel overwhelmed again.
🎁 Free Downloads to Help You Choose the Right White
Still unsure? Before you even pick up a brush, make sure you actually understand how to choose white paint and neutrals for your home. I’ve created two free downloads that will walk you through:
📌 Read This Before You Renovate or Build
📌 Understand the 4 Types of White + How to Choose the Right One for Your Home
They’ll help you avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident in your decision-making.
🎓 Want Step-by-Step Colour Selection Help?
If you're ready to learn how to choose white paint, test undertones, and create a full neutral colour scheme for your home, then join my online course. It's designed for homeowners who want to get it right the first time—without needing a designer.
👉 Check out the course here
It’s packed with visual guides, video tutorials, and includes access to a private Facebook group where you can ask me questions directly.